- The suspects were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation along Ajilete road in Ogun State
- The investigation revealed that the illegal drug shipment originated from Ghana
The Nigerian Army troops managed to capture two individuals involved in an attempted smuggling of a significant quantity of marijuana into the country. The suspects were identified as Matthew Edegbe from Benin and Joshua Dansu from Nigeria.
The arrest took place during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by the troops along Ajilete road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the suspects were transporting the illicit substance in a truck that had no license plate. The vehicle was found to be carrying an astonishing 397 wraps of marijuana.
Further investigations carried out by the troops uncovered that the illegal drug shipment had originated from Ghana.
The statement read, “Troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have again on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate smuggling a truckload of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.
“Responding to actionable intelligence, troops conducted stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, during which they intercepted and impounded the suspected truck without Registration number, loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.
“In the preliminary investigations that followed, it was revealed that the illicit substance concealed in the truck was transported from Ghana through the Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko en route Sango Otta.
“The suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr. Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national, and Mr. Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, who are currently assisting in ongoing investigations.”
He noted that a Benin Republic National Identification card and a Driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe among others were recovered from the suspects.
“Items recovered from the suspects include the truck’s Registration number identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification, an Infinix and Itel phone, one iPhone, a Benin Republic National Identification card, and a Driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe, as well as the sum of Seven Thousand Naira (N7000) only.”
Onyema, however, said the suspects, vehicle, and exhibits had been taken into custody, pending handing over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.